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Smiling In Sonoma
Exploring Sonoma County and beyond through wine, food, music, hiking, and photography.

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Hidden Gem of the California State Parks – Butano State Park

Posted on April 16, 2017
Butano State Park | Smiling in Sonoma

As the hubs and I hiked through this beautiful little hidden gem within the California State Park system I thought to myself, ‘I hope one day my grand kids find this little blog of mine and are inspired to get outside and see what we have seen’. Thankfully this park will be saved for our […]

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  • Hiking

Escape to Montara Mountain – San Mateo County

Posted on February 6, 2017February 5, 2017
Montara Mountain - San Mateo County | Smiling in Sonoma

Sometimes we need to escape reality to deal with reality. The hubs and I have been escaping to beautiful places since we have moved to the North Bay but now more than ever do we need to unplug and get out and enjoy nature. Montara Mountain is a wonderfully diverse hike from shady eucalyptus to […]

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  • Hiking

A Magical Hike – Indian Tree Open Space Preserve

Posted on January 13, 2017January 8, 2017
A Magical Hike - Indian Tree Open Space Preserve | Smiling in Sonoma

The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man. Many of our old growth redwoods were cut down long ago but there are pockets of them that remain around the bay area to remind us of what nature would look like if we had left it alone. This […]

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  • East Bay

Rolling Green Hills – Briones Regional Park East Bay

Posted on March 13, 2016October 29, 2016
Briones Regional Park | Smiling in Sonoma

Muddy trails = sliding down the trails hoping to stay upright and not land in any cowpies left behind by the adorable grazing cattle! The hubs and I successfully navigated this lovely park without landing in any cowpies (whew!) but were harassed by the adorable cows! The North Bay has been experiencing a few days […]

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  • East Bay

History and Views on Angel Island

Posted on February 18, 2016October 29, 2016
Angel Island | Smiling in Sonoma

Want an adventure full of history and gorgeous SF bay views? Head on over to Angel Island! It has been on our list of places to hike for quite some time but the limited ferry schedule and healthy fear of crowds has prevented us until last weekend. On the day we went, SF was having […]

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  • Hiking

Getting lost in the views at Annadel State Park

Posted on December 5, 2015October 29, 2016
Two Quarry Annadel | Smiling in Sonoma

The hubs and I had set out for a little adventure at Annadel State Park with just a map of the 5,200 acre park and intentions on an approximate 8 mile hike. Oh goodness can you get turned around in this park! We started off in the official parking lot (paid the $7 fee and saved […]

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  • Hiking

Humbled at the summit – Mt St Helena

Posted on November 9, 2015October 29, 2016
Mt St Helena | Smiling in Sonoma

“Arriving at one goal is the starting point to another” – John Dewey When the hubs and I first started hiking in wine country we had our eyes set on hiking to the top of Mt St Helena. It’s our tallest peak in the area at 4,341 ft and towers over the gorgeous Napa Valley. […]

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  • Hiking

Freezing at Rodeo Beach

Posted on September 13, 2015October 29, 2016
Rodeo Beach | Smiling in Sonoma

Here in wine country we have been experiencing some unusually hot weather so the hubs and I wanted to escape the heat for our weekend hike and headed for the beach. Yikes! Big temperature drop and some chilly winds but felt oh so good to cool off! We started our Rodeo Beach Hike at the […]

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  • Hiking

Tubbs Island Wildlife Refuge

Posted on February 8, 2015October 29, 2016

While this is a nice flat 8.1 mile trail along the marshland to San Pablo Bay where you have uninterrupted views of the city, take a hiking partner with you that can entertain you through a boring mile #2…or just enjoy the complete peace and quiet. I prefer my hiking partner that entertains me with hypothetical […]

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Check out recent posts

  • WE HAVE MOVED!!!
  • Playing Tourist on Angel Island
  • Hidden Gem of the California State Parks – Butano State Park
  • Wildflowers and Wildlife at Rodeo Beach – Marin Headlands
  • Land of Star Wars and Rolling Green Hills – Big Rock Ridge Trail

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